How to Develop and Write a Research Paper

Developed by Developed by Judy HardingJudy Harding

Coordinator of User ServicesCoordinator of User ServicesWadsworth LibraryWadsworth Library

andandChristine McLaughlinChristine McLaughlin

Director of the Academic Success Center Director of the Academic Success Center and the Writing Centerand the Writing Center

Research Paper AssignmentResearch Paper AssignmentIdentify what the assignment requires: topic possibilities number of sources type of sources (journal, book, Internet) citation requirements (MLA, APA,

Chicago) presentation requirements (oral or written) length of paper due date

Getting StartedGetting Started

• Choose a topic based on requirements.• Ask yourself questions:

• What do I know about the topic?• What would I like to learn?• What will others learn from reading my

paper?

Formulate a Research QuestionFormulate a Research QuestionStart by finding background information on

your topic:– Resource Links to Background Informati

on: How to Find Journal Articles in Electronic

Databases How to find Books in the Online Catalog

Personal Exploration of Personal Exploration of TopicTopic

Once you have familiarized yourself with the topic, reflect on your initial impressions:Free Writing – just write down your thoughts List Key Words – list words that describe your topicClustering/Webbing - create a web that links

terms together (an example of webbing is on the next slide)

Webbing - red is the topic

1.Relax. Play some creative music. 2.Spelling or style doesn't count.3.Don't worry about organization. 4.Free-associate ideas. Keep them simple. 5.Write or sketch as quickly as you can. 6.Write or sketch in any order. 7.Develop all ideas. 8.Keep working.

®Content and materials published in http://www.graphic.org site may be duplicated for educational, non-profit, single school use only.

Formulate a QuestionFormulate a QuestionDecide what question you want to answer

with your research. Formulate a Question – the answer to the

question becomes your thesis question.For example:

– How does exercise improve someone’s mental health?– What are the effects of violent video games on elementary

school children?– What was the impact of Cubism on early twentieth century

culture?– Should elementary schools provide more programming in the

arts?

Starting Your ResearchStarting Your ResearchDecide what kind of information that you

need based on your research assignment. The information will be determined by your

topic and assignment requirements:– Current or historical or both– Biographical information– Criticism and analysis– Statistics– And More

Finding Information in BooksFinding Information in Books1. Find Books – Check the library on-line catalog:

Minuteman Library Network Catalog

2. Search just Mount Ida College or all MLN libraries: For help with searching or stop by and see a

librarian in the Wadsworth Library.

3. Locate if the book is in the Wadsworth Library.

4. If the book is not available at Mount Ida, you may directly request that the book be delivered to the Wadsworth Library or ask the Librarian to request the book for you.

Decide on the Decide on the Usefulness of a BookUsefulness of a Book

1. How to Evaluate a Book for the Assignment:

a. Read title as clue to content

b. Scan table of contents

c. Search for key terms in book index

Finding Information in Finding Information in JournalsJournals

1. Find Journal Articles in electronic databases:

Electronic Databases2. Ask the Librarian about the best databases to

search on your topic: i.e., InfoTrac Expanded Academic – Journal

Articles - full text or citation (find actual journal through the library)

Decide on the Usefulness of Decide on the Usefulness of Journal ArticlesJournal Articles

Evaluate usefulness of journal articles for assignment:– Read title and subtitle as clue to content.– Read abstract if available.– Check key terms at end of article for related

links to further explore topic.

Finding Information Finding Information Using Internet ResourcesUsing Internet Resources

1. Click on Internet Resources part of the MLN homepage.

2. Or select a search engine or website.

Decide on the Usefulness of Decide on the Usefulness of Internet Site InformationInternet Site Information

1. Evaluate Internet site:a. find source of the site and information

Who is responsible for the website? Who provided the information?

• a person who is known in the field of study.• an organization that is reputable, i.e.

American Cancer Society.

b. note currency of site – when was it last updated?

c. assess relevance of information to the assignment.

Ask a Librarian for SupportAsk a Librarian for Support

A librarian can assist you with the process of finding information sources for your assignment.

Stop by the library. Click for Library Hours.

Contact the librarian via e-mail or in person.

How to Avoid PlagiarismHow to Avoid Plagiarism

How to Avoid Plagiarism – Review the PowerPoint presentation. It covers:– Citing sources of information.– How to paraphrase, summarize, quote.– How to cite your sources for your works cited

page.

Taking NotesTaking Notes

Organizing Your Research Using Note Cards– Read source actively by highlighting important

information.– Record quotes that you may want to use later and

include source and page number on card.– Create paraphrases and summaries on note cards

directly from your research.– Record on each note card the author’s name and page

number for later reference. Organizing Your Research Using a Computer

http://www.studygs.net/plagiarism.htm

Organize Your ResearchOrganize Your Research

Construct an Outline

DraftingDrafting Follow your outline. Begin to incorporate research material into each

paragraph. Cite your source for each quote, paraphrase and

summary. Check with your instructor about which

documentation and format style to use. Be sure to include your opinion and comments on

the research. Write your conclusion based on your answer to

your research question (your thesis).

Need Help with Need Help with Writing Your Draft?Writing Your Draft?

A writing tutor can help you with how to outline and develop your paper.

Make an appointment with a writing tutor at the Writing Center. http://www.mountida.edu/filelibrary/TutorSchedSpring2007.doc

Preparing the Final Version of Preparing the Final Version of Your Research PaperYour Research Paper

Revise draft based on comments from your instructor and/or tutor

Check cited sources for accuracy and MLA Style or another style format.

Proof read your work – don’t forget the Spell and Grammar check in Microsoft Word.

Add works cited page. Add title page.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

The original module was supported by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners through a LSTA Grant.

Marge Lippincott, Dean of Information Technology and Learning Resources, coordinated the effort and created the PowerPoint with Judy Harding and Christine McLaughlin.